Rush reappointed with unanimous support from JNC, justices
Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush will serve a second term as head of the Hoosier judiciary after a unanimous reappointment vote Wednesday from the Judicial Nominating Commission.
Drugs
Articles
Judgment reversed for woman who posted bond, then fatally shot defendant
A dispute over who should receive bond money paid on behalf of a now-deceased defendant will proceed in court after the Indiana Court of Appeals reversed summary judgment for the woman who posted the bond then fatally shot the man.
Indiana’s lawsuit against opioid maker Purdue Pharma proceeds
Indiana’s lawsuit against drug maker Purdue Pharma for the company’s alleged role in contributing to the state’s opioid crisis is moving forward after surviving a motion to dismiss.
Drug dealer’s appeal fails to show prosecutorial misconduct
A prosecutor’s suggestion to jurors during closing arguments that the volume of fentanyl in a habitual drug dealer’s possession had the potential to kill thousands of people did not constitute fundamental error. The Indiana Court of Appeals on Friday rejected that and other arguments of a man convicted and sentenced to 40 years in prison.
Federal jury convicts alleged drug ringleader, 4 others
The alleged leader of a violent Indianapolis-based drug trafficking ring has been convicted on federal drug charges. A federal jury in Evansville convicted Richard Grundy III and four co-defendants on all charges Thursday during the 14th day of their trial.
Reversal: Drugs found in sock not admissible
Three Clark County drug convictions were overturned Thursday after the Indiana Court of Appeals determined drug evidence found in a suspect’s sock should not have been admitted.
Felony drug conviction affirmed, but public defender fee reversed
A man’s felony drug convictions were affirmed Thursday, but a trial court’s order requiring him to pay a $250 public defender fee and reimburse a northern Indiana county for his medical expenses were struck down by the Indiana Court of Appeals.
Positive drug test from driver’s hair weave creates legal tangle
A woman whose hair weave sample returned a positive test after she claims she was denied the chance to submit her natural hair for a random employment drug screen will have a chance to make a negligence claim against the lab, a federal court ruled.
Order enabling grandparents to determine father’s visitation reversed
A father who feared his hostile relationship with his children’s grandparent guardians would prevent him from having visitation with his kids won a reversal of an order stating parenting time would be “agreed upon by the parties.”
Indiana gets $8.4M from HHS to fight opioid epidemic
A federal agency has awarded Indiana $8.4 million to help fight the opioid epidemic by boosting access to substance abuse treatment and mental health services.
COA hears appeal of murder charge in opioid injection death
Arguments as to whether a man may be charged with murder after he injecting his wife with a fatal dose of fentanyl that they both believed was heroin were presented to an appellate panel during oral arguments Wednesday.
Clark County nurses sentenced for stealing patient medication
Two Clark County nurses have been sentenced for stealing narcotics medication from patients following an investigation by the Indiana Attorney General’s Office.
COA to hear appeal of murder charge against man who injected drugs into wife
A man accused of murdering his wife when he injected her with strong opioids will make his case before the Indiana Court of Appeals next week, when he’ll argue that the trial court erred in considering his act to be drug dealing.
Prosecutorial misconduct claim rejected in meth conviction
A woman’s conviction for dealing meth were upheld after the Indiana Court of Appeals found no issue with comments made by the Franklin County prosecutor in response to allegations of forum shopping raised by defense counsel.
Police: Indiana marijuana surge coming from other states
Some Indiana police officers are reporting that they’re seeing an increase in marijuana products, including pot-laced edibles and vaping devices, coming from states where marijuana has been legalized to one degree or another. State Police Sgt. Carey Huls said authorities are observing an increase of specialty marijuana products coming from states such as California or Colorado with established laws permitting their use
COA upholds admitting meth found in Bedford Taco Bell
A man convicted of possessing several grams of meth has lost his appeal to suppress evidence found at his fast food workplace after an anonymous caller alerted authorities. But a concurring judge used the case to “state the obvious” and remind Hoosiers of their right not to talk to police in similar circumstances.
COA hears free speech Facebook post case involving police threats
Arguments concerning a mother’s free speech rights on Facebook after she was convicted for harassing a police officer opened discussion about the uncharted waters of social media in court before an Indiana appeals court Wednesday.
7th Circuit upholds enhanced sentence under Armed Career Criminal Act
A convicted drug offender has lost an appeal of his enhanced sentence after failing to convince the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals that the enhancement was improper because his former cocaine dealing conviction was not a predicate “serious drug offense” under the Armed Career Criminal Act.
COA will hear free speech appeal in Facebook harassment case
An angry mother who made threatening posts on social media toward a police officer after the death of her son is now appealing her harassment conviction, arguing her free speech rights were violated.
Alleged drug ring leader’s trial moved to Evansville
Richard Grundy III and four co-defendants first stood trial July 8 in Indianapolis on federal drug trafficking charges, but a mistrial was declared July 10 after a court order concerning jurors’ personal information was violated. Court documents show Grundy will now stand trial July 29 at the U.S. district court in Evansville.